The Rugby World Cup, one of the most highly-anticipated fixtures in the sporting calendar is upon us, as France prepares to host the Tournament from 8th September – 28th October. World Rugby is anticipating more than 600,000 international visitors to matches, with the Tournament forecast to generate €457m. A record 2.6 million tickets were made available to fans this year.
As fans around the globe are eagerly planning their long-awaited trips to attend the historic rugby event, now in its 10th year, flight travel continues to cause chaos for British travellers. To help budding spectators on their way, Direct Ferries, the cost-effective, reliable and sustainable ferry travel alternative reveals its most popular routes for rugby fans to get to France this September. For England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland rugby fans, there’s no better way to see the games than ‘en voiture, par bateau’.
Ferry travel is the answer to travelling comfortably, cheaply, sustainably and stress free. No costly luggage allowance, travel at your own leisure in your own vehicle, A/C to keep you cool on the road (with options for bicycles and a roof box) – and room for all the extras needed. Ships are equipped with restaurants, TV lounges, cinemas and duty-free shops. And for overnight crossings for some peace, rest and privacy, en suite cabins.
Matches will take place across 10 iconic venues, in the cities of Bordeaux, Lille, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Paris, St Etienne and Toulouse. As the tournament traverses the country, fans will have the opportunity to explore many of France’s renowned landmarks and experience the great French culture and gastronomy whilst watching their favourite sporting heroes in action.
The first England match commences in Marseille against Argentina on Saturday 9th September at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Ireland plays its first match against Romania on 9th September at Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux. The first Scotland match is Scotland vs South Africa at the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, on the 10thSeptember and Wales kick off with Fiji on 10th September at the Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux.
Getting there (and back!) with Direct Ferries
Travelling from the UK and Ireland to France to see the matches couldn’t be easier with Direct Ferries. As the world’s largest ferry ticket booking site Direct Ferries offers numerous routes to France for fans from the UK and Ireland. Top routes and average prices for a car with four passengers, return, as below:
Average return price for car with four passengers
| Dover – Calais | £158.82 |
| Dover – Dunkirk | £170.28 |
| Folkestone – Calais | £211.57 |
| Portsmouth – Caen | £484.65 |
| Newhaven – Dieppe | £181.02 |
| Poole – Cherbourg | £423.57 |
| Rosslare – Cherbourg | £543.35 |
| Portsmouth – St Malo | £527.34 |
| Portsmouth – Cherbourg | £424.76 |
| Cork – Roscoff | £607.50 |
| Dublin – Cherbourg | £624.04 |
| Poole – St Malo | £481.72 |
| Plymouth – Roscoff | £504.23 |
| Portsmouth – Le Havre | £401.17 |
| Guernsey – St Malo | £310.91 |
| Jersey (St Helier) – St Malo | £355.43 |
| Guernsey – Cherbourg | £244.44 |
For more information, tickets and official updates on the Rugby World Cup please visit www.rugbyworldcup.com
